Repeater tape machine

ABSTRACT

An electrically operated tape feeder for tapes of various kinds including very soft tape, having means to preselect either of two adjustable lengths of tape, to be dispensed by manually starting the machine, with other means automatically to deliver a severed strip of tape of predetermined adjustable length to the front of the machine, operated by simply lifting a previously delivered and severed strip from the machine. The machine has means to hold the end of the strip in the machine after it has been severed, and arrangements to keep the holding means out of the path of the tape during feeding thereof but assuring presence of the holding means by the time the strip is severed. The last means also involves means to prevent continuous energization of the circuitry if a manual starting switch is held closed continuously, without intentionally withdrawing a severed strip from the machine.

United States Patent Hill Dec. 9, 1975 [5 REPEATER TAPE MACHINE 3,587,376 6/1971 Hirano 83/359 x [75] Inventor: Forrest G. Hill, East St. Louis, 111.

Primary ExaminerFrank T. Yost [73] Asslgnee Marsh, Stem Machme Company Attorney, Agent,-0r Firm-Rogers, Ezell & Eilers Bellevllle, Ill.

22 z Filed June 14, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT 21 1 Appl NO 369958 An electrically operated tape feeder for tapes of var1 ous kinds including very soft tape, having means to [52] 11.8. CL. 83/58; 83/203; 83/241; pr selec either of two dju ble l ng f p to 83/359 be dispensed by manually starting the machine, with [51] Int. Cl. B26D 5/40 Other means automatically to deliver a severed strip of Field Of Search 83/205, 358, 359, 241, tape of predetermined adjustable length to the front of 83/203, 58; 33/132, 132.5 the machine, operated by simply lifting a previously delivered and severed strip from the machine. The [56] References Cited machine has means to hold the end of the strip in the UN STATES PATENTS machine after it has been severed, and arrangements 2,041,831 5/1936 Helsel 83/358 x to k the.hldmg means out Path of the tape 2,219,650 10/1940 Helselm 83,358 X during feeding thereof but assunng presence of the 2,757,730 8/1956 Hempel.:..::::::::::::::1:31.... 83/203 holding means by the time the strip is Severed- The 2,783,707 3/1957 Montgomery 83/358 x last means also iIWOIVBS means to Prevent Continuous 2,849,067 8/1958 Krueger 83/358 x nergization of the circuitry if a manual starting switch 3,176,563 4/ 1965 is held closed continuously, without intentionally with- 3,293,967 12/1966 drawing a severed strip from the machine. 3,361,021 1/1968 3,491,449 1/1970 Hempel et a1. 33/132 13 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 9 1975 Sheet 1 of 2 3,924,498

REPEATER TAPE MACHINE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This machine is an improvement on the assignees prior US. Pat. Nos. 2,655,372, Oct. 13, 1953; 2,727,570, Dec. 20, 1955; 2,747,868, May 29, 1956; 2,757,730, Aug. 7, 1956; 2,767,981, Oct. 23, 1956; 2,797,919, July 2, 1957; 3,491,449, Jan. 27, 1970, and all relevant references cited in'those files.

Those prior patents disclose many components and subassemblies embodied in the present machine. Particular reference is made to US. Pat. Nos. 2,757,730, 2,797,919 and 3,491,449. The tape feeding, length selecting, and cutting mechanisms hereof are derived from those in US. Pat. No. 2,757,730. The vertical shaft assembly of the measuring cam clutch, the length selector arms, and associated parts are based upon us. Fatv No. 3,491,449. It is noted, however, that features of the present invention can be used with other arrangements of parts.

OBJECTS The first feature of the present invention is the automatic repeat feed feature, the object of which is to feed a new strip of tape automatically each time a prior strip is withdrawn from the machine. Subfeatures of this include the holding of the former strip in the machine, after severance, until it is deliberately withdrawn, and yet the avoidance of obstruction by the holding means during delivery of the tape, the prevention of overlapping cycles of tape delivery by restart of the machine prior to withdrawal of a previously severed strip, and the adjustability of the length of the strip delivered. It is a further feature to provide not merely the aforesaid automatic delivery of tape strips, but also to provide manual starting of delivery cycles, to deliver strips of either of two preselected adjustable lengths; to hold the such severed strips in the machine until manually withdrawn; and to prevent continuous operation of the motor even if the manual starting means is held in continuous actuation position, unless each severed strip is quickly withdrawn upon severance so that another can be safely delivered without jamming.

Other features will appear from the following description.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the machine, the rear portion being partly broken away;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through a switch assembly, taken approximately on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal and approximately medial section through the tape feeding track of the machine;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section through the tape-feeding track or channel, taken approximately on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the tape channel plate associated with feeding mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the tape channel weight of the feeding mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a plan view somewhat enlarged of the cutoff blade sub-assembly;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of the cutoff blade subassembly; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic wiring diagram.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As noted, the overall tape-feeding system here is generally similar to that in I-Iempel US. Pat. No. 2,757,730, whereas the presettable tape cutoff mechanisms are generally those of Hempel and Hill US. Pat. No. 3,491,449.

Accordingly, the outer housing 20 of the present 0 mechanism has a rearwardly projecting tape roll holder part 21, which is here cut away and not shown, and on which a roll of tape is mounted in a manner such as that indicated in US. Pat. No. 2,757,730. The tape T is fed into the machine and through a tapefeeding channel generally indicated at 22 in FIG. 3; thence past a cutter section 23, and through a sensing section generally indicated at 24. At the upper front of the machine, there is a pre-setting section generally indicated at 25*(FIG. 1). This includes a dial mechanism as illustrated. To one side there is a control switch assembly 26.

The tape-feeding channel 22 extends from the taperoll holder section forwardly and downwardly to the cutter section 23. Specifically, it includes a bottom channel plate 30 having a downturned front edge 31 attached by screws 32 to a bracket 33 that is firmly secured to the main housing 20. The plate extends upwardly and rearwardly, terminating in an upper read edge 34 that has screw-receiving notches 35 so that it can be firmly connected with the frame assembly at the rear in the manner shown generally in the US. Pat. No. 2,757,730. This plate 30 has two lateral wings on it, 37 and 38, offset upwardly, as shown in FIG. 4. They form a depressed channel 39 in the upper surface of the plate 30.

The channel plate 30 has a rectangular hole 40 in it through which projects the upper edge of a vertically disposed knurled feed wheel 41 of the type shown in the earlier patent. Above this wheel, and preferably mounted for being manually lifted away from the wheel 41, but spring-urged downwardly toward it, is a measuring wheel 42. This structure is illustrated in US. Pat. No. 2,797,919.

The motor-driven tape feed wheel 41 is fixed upon a shaft 43 that is driven by an electric motor mounted in the housing. This motor appears in the schematic diagram FIG. 9 and is mounted in the main housing 20. The mechanical details are like those in US. Pat. No. 2,757,730.

The powered shaft 43 projects from the main housing 20 and has a hand knob K on its outer end, so that the tape can be fed manually.

A removable tape channel weight in the form of an overplate 44, is loosely placed above the plate 30 (FIGS. 3, 4, 6). The plate 44 has its lower front corners 45 slightly turned up so that when it is inserted in place, the plate cannot slip beneath its support, as shown in FIG. 3. Also it cannot scratch the surface 39 of the plate 30 which should be very smooth and hard. The plate 44 has two cross bars 46 and 47 that are spot welded across its topsurface. These two cross bars are similar, and one of them is shown in elevation in FIG. 4. They have upwardly offset ends as shown in FIG. 4 that extend out and rest upon the wings 37 and 38 of the channel 30 to support the plate 44 above the surface 39 of the channel 30.

The channel weight plate 44 has a hole 49 to receive the edge of the measuring wheel 42, and is slightly deformed upwardly across the middle of the hole 49. Also the lower strip 46 is shaped to elevate the plate 44 further above the surface 39 than does the rearward strip 47. By this arrangement, when the tape is initially fed into the track between the channel 30 and the weight 44, it has a relatively close fit there, which tends to insure that it will be smoothed out and maintained smooth until it reaches the feed wheel 41 and the measuring wheel 42. As stated and shown in the former patent above mentioned, the measuring wheel 42 is movably mounted above the wheel 41 and is resiliently urged downwardly toward it so that it is maintained against the tape T. Downward from the wheels, the channel 39 is deeper than at its upper entrance, so that there is little resistance to the downward movement of the tape, as it is projected by the wheels 4142.

For typical dimensions, the upper plate 44 in a length of about six and one-half inches can have its center portion displaced upwardly from 0.007 to 0.014 inches, the plate sloping evenly down to its ends from that center portion. The plate being of steel, something under 1/16 inch thick, the rear strap 47 can have 0.080 inch offset and the forward strap 46 a 0.040 inch offset. The depression of the channel 39 from the wings 37 and 38 is 3/16 inch. This means that the clearance for the channel for the tape at the upper end is approximately l/32 of an inch and at the lower or forward end is approximately 3/32 of an inch.

The upper surface 39 of the channel 30 may be slightly grooved longitudinally, and for the present purposes is Teflon covered as is the under surface of the weight 44, to minimize friction.

From the end of the channel 39 the tape T extends out through the cutting section 23. This section is designed especially to take care of the soft cloth tape. The operating means for the knife is the same as that shown in Hempel U.S. Pat. No. 2,757,730 and so need not be described in detail here. This knife cutting section includes a plate 55 that is secured to the front of the housing by screws. This hardened steel plate constitutes the stationary blade and has its upper forward edge offset forwardly and ground to provide a fixed cutting edge 56.

Viewed from the front as in FIG. 8, the left end of the plate 55 has a downwardly projecting portion which receives a screw 59, holding a movable cutting blade 60 onto the plate 55. As shown in FIG. 7, a spring and nut arrangement 61 on the screw 59 aids in applying pressure to hold the blades together. The upper edge of the blade 60 is sharpened along a curved edge 62 which cooperates with the edge 56 on the plate 55 to provide the shearing action. In addition to the spring 61, the present device has a leaf spring 63 secured to the plate 55 by screws 64. The spring blade 63 depends over the edge of the movable plate 59 and urges it further against the fixed blade 56. As is known from the former U.S. Pat. No. 2,757,730, the movable blade 60 is actuated by an arm 65 that projects through an opening 66. This arm is rocked upwardly or downwardly to pivot the blade 60 about its pivot 59. In FIG. 8 the blade is shown partially upward in a cutting position.

The tape T moves from the cutting mechanism 23 forwardly over the sensing mechanism 24. This sensing mechanism is enclosed in a housing 70, mounted on the front of the main housing 20. It is generally rectangular in its various dimensions, open at the top, and at its forward upper edge has a polished delivery plate 71 that slopes forwardly and downwardly. This plate is preferably covered with a Teflon coating on its upper and forward surface so as to provide a durable wear surface that affords minimum resistance to the movement of the tape.

Within the housing there is mounted a solenoid 72 that operates a vertically disposed core 73. The core 73 is connected to the lower end of a light coil spring 75, the upper end of which is attached to a light wire feeler 76. This feeler or sensor is attached at one end, and projects radially from a freely oscillatable rock shaft 77 pivotally mounted in the sides of the housing 70. The shaft 77 extends outwardly from the end of the housing 70 (FIG. 1) and is bent over into a U-shaped end 78.

There is a weighted cover assembly 79 pivotally and removably mounted over the top of the housing 70. It provides a tape slot to hold the tape over the feeler 76. At the back of the housing 70 there are opposite upstanding yokes 80 that rockably and removably receive the ends of a rod 81. Lower and upper sheet metal plates 82 and 83 are mounted on the rod 81, extending forwardly from the rod and being attached together with the upper plate spaced above the lower to provide a tape slot between them, as will appear.

The lower plate 82 has upstanding ears 84 bent up at the rear of its sides to form supports attaching the plate to the rod 81. The plate 82 extends forwardly to cover the open top of the housing 70, and has a long fore-andaft medial slot 85 to receive the sensing element or feeler 76.

The plate 83 has a rolled rear edge 87 (FIG. 3) that receives the rod 81 to support the rear of the plate 83 on the rod above the plate 82. From that point the plate 83 extends downwardly, then forwardly and downwardly, and finally forwardly in parallel with the plate 82 but above it, all as shown in FIG. 3.

The lower plate 82 is fastened at its forward corners by screws 91 with appropriate spacers to hold it spaced a given distance above that plate. The plates 82 and 83 thus provide a converging mouth to receive the tape, direct it across the feeler 76, and confine it, but loosely, over the feeler.

The front edge of the upper plate 83 has upturned flanges 95. The two flanges 95 receive bolts 98 that project back over the plate 83, and at their rear edges securely hold a weight 99. This weight (not shown in FIG. 3) is designed to hold the cover assembly 79 down, to maintain the tape T over the feeler 76 and cause it to depress the feeler as will be explained. The weight is notched at N to afford ample space for the tape and feeler.

The upper plate 83 between the flanges 95, is cut back in a recess 103 to give access to the emitting tape T. It also has a medial fore-and-aft slot 104 above the slot 85 in the lower plate, to receive the feeler 76 and permit it to swing upwardly.

The switch mechanism 26 is operated by the feeler 76. It includes a casing 100 appropriately attached to the front of the main housing by screws that are not shown. Within this casing 100 a microswitch 101 is mounted with a projection switch actuator button 102 and an actuating spring arm 103. The actuating arm 103 projects from the top of the housing 100 in the path of the U-shaped end 78 of the rod 77, and is resistingly bent when tape in the machine causes the feeler 76 to be depressed. In FIG. 9 for simplicity the feeler 76 is diagrammatically indicated as directly opening the switch 101. The switch is normally closed and is opened when the arm 103 is moved backward.

The electrical connections for the machine include a power supply through two wires and 111, the power system being grounded at G. The main switch 112 with its actuating member accessible on the front of the main housing 20, controls the connection of both power lines 110 and 111 into the mechanism.

When the switch 112 is closed, the power line 110 is directly connected to the wire 113, and the power line 111 is directly connected to the wire 114.

The wire 113 connects to a junction 115. From it a wire 116 leads to ajunction 117 to which one wire 118 of a pilot light 119 is connected. Also from the junction 117 a wire 120 leads to the normally closed switch 101. Returning to the junction 115, a wire 121 connects therefrom directly to a pair of spaced but electrically connected contacts in the solenoid-operated switch 122, that will be described further hereafter.

The foregoing circuit branches are all energized from the power line 110 whenever the switch 112 is closed.

The branches similarly energized from the power line 111 upon closure of the switch 112, include wire 114 that connects to a junction 128 connected by a wire 129 to the other side of the pilot light 119, which is thus illuminated whenever the switch 112 is closed. The junction 128 is connected by a wire 131 to a junction 132 from which a wire 133 leads into the solenoid coil 72, that upon energization, can draw the tape feeler 76 down, and open the switch 101. Another wire 134 connects from the junction 132 to a junction 135 from which a wire 136 leads to a feed shaft solenoid coil 137 that, as will appear, shifts both the switch 122, and a clutch 138 that connects the motor to the feed wheel 41.

The junction 135 is connected by a wire 140 to the aforesaid motor 141. This motor drives a shaft connected to a driving element of the clutch 138, that is shifted axially by a clutch shifter 146. The shifter 146 is urged in one direction by a spring diagrammatically indicated at 148, and in the opposite direction by a core 149 of the coil 137. When the coil is not energized, the spring 148 resiliently forces the driving clutch element 145 toward clutching'engagement with a cam 150 that operates the tape cutter actuating arm 65 once for each revolution of the cam, as explained in US. Pat. No. 2,757,730.

When the coil 137 is energized, it moves the core 149 and the clutch shifter 146 to displace the driver 145 out of clutching engagement with the cutter cam 150, into neutral, and then into clutching engagement with a feeder driven element 152 on a driven shaft that rotates the tape feed wheel 41. As explained in US. Pat. No. 2,757,730 the cam 150 is an eccentric. In the diagram FIG. 9, it is shown in a cutter-operating"position. A spring diagrammatically indicated at 153, forcing the arm 65 against the cam 150, causes it to return from cutter-operating position to a starting position whenever the cam 150 is declutched. When this occurs, a sloping face cam 154 engages the shifter 146 and mechanically displaces it, along with the core 149, to neutral position and holds them there. However, the neutral position is short of the extreme position to which the spring 153 can move the cam 150, since the free cam becomes blocked against the shifter, when neutral is reached. Later, when the shifter 146 is again shifted toward the driven member 152, withdrawing the shifter from the face cam, the spring completes rotation of the cam 150, which removes the face cam from the way of 6 return movement of the driving member so that it may thereafter clutch with the driven member 150.

The solenoid core 149 also shifts a switch arm 155 of the switch 122. This arm has a double contact 156. When the solenoid 137 is not energized, the spring 148 urges the contact 156 toward the contact 124, but it will be held in neutral position by the blocking face cam 154 so long as the cam 150 is in its starting position. When the coil 137 is energized, the arm 155 first closes with a contact 123, and thereafter also closes the contacts 156, 123 and 158, the last being on a blade connected by a wire 159 to the other side of the sole noid coil 72. When the solenoid coil 137 is deenergized, the contact 158 is first opened, then the contact 123 is opened. Thereafter the contact 124 may be closed if the face cam 154 has been displaced from its starting position.

Returning to the junction 128 of the power line 1 11, a wire 160 leads from it to a junction 161. A wire 162 leads from this junction to a solenoid coil 163 of a solenoid switch 165. Also from the junction 161 a wire 166 leads to a rectifier 167, that in turn is connected to a DC. magnetic clutch 168. This clutch, when energized, connects the measuring wheel 42 to a shaft 169 upon which a switch-operating cam 170 is mounted. The cam 170 can, upon rotation, open normally-closed switches 171 and 172, which are angularly displaceable by the respective knobs 173 and 174 that are positionable about the dial 175 to determine the lengths of tape to be dispensed. A tension spring S urges the cam 170 to its starting position, but it will be moved and held by the measuring wheel 42 when the clutch 168 is energized. This mechanism and its operation are described in detail in US. Pat. No. 3,491,449.

All of the foregoing wires directly connected to the junction 128 are energized from the power line 111 when the switch 112 is closed.

The machine is under immediate control of the button-repeat selector switch 180, which can be closed for the repeat mode or open for the selector mode of operation, in which latter case the machine dispenses when either a short-length knob switch 181, or a long length knob switch 182 is closed. The repeat mode circuitry will be described first.

As stated, the switch 101 is normally closed, connecting the junction 117 (power line 110) to a wire 185 connected to all of the three switches 180, 181, 182. When the switch also is closed, it connects the wire with a wire 186 leading to a junction 187, from which a wire 188 leads to two blades of the solenoid switch 165, that have contacts 189 and 190. These are both normally open, and relate to the long-length manual selection, as will appear and as is explained in US. Pat. No. 3,491,449.

From the junction 187 a wire 193 leads to a junction 194, from which a wire 195 leads both to the contact 156 of the switch 122 and to the other side of the motor 141. Also, from the junction 194 a wire 198 is connected to a junction 199 to which the other side of the rectifier 167 is connected. When the sides of the rectifier are connected to the respective power lines, the DC magnetic clutch 168 is energized to clutch the cam 170 to rotate with the measuring wheel 42.

From the junction 199 a wire 200 leads to the switch 171. A wire 201 connects from the switch 171 to a junction 202. A wire 203 connects from the junction 202 to another blade and contact 204 of the switch 165. Also from the junction 202 a wire 205 connects to 7 the switch 172, from which latter a wire 206 connects to the other side of the solenoid coil 137.

The foregoing constitutes the wiring for the repeat mode of operation, which can be performed when the switches 101 and 180 are closed. When the switch 180 is opened, or moved to the button position, the two knob switches 181 and 182, operated from their knobs at the top of the machine (FIG. 1) control the dispensing of tape.

The switch 181 is the short-lengt switch. When it is closed momentarily and released, it connects the wire 185 to the wire 186, establishing the same circuits as does the repeat switch 180.

The switch 182 is the long-length switch. Closure of the switch 182 connects the wire 185 to a wire 210 that connects to the junction 211 to which are connected the switch contact blade 212 and a wire 213 that connects to the other side of the solenoid coil 163. Upon energization of the coil 163, the contact 212 is closed with the contact 189. At the same time, the contact 204 is closed with the Contact 190.

OPERATION OF THE MACHINE This feeder is designed to dispense textile tapes, including very flexible tapes. Typical tapes that it can dispense are apparel tapes of many different degrees of rigidity, and flexibility, whether woven or not. It can dispense tape widths of from inch to 3 inches. This means that the tape-receiving channel 39 is something over three inches wide.

The tape roll is mounted at the rear of the machine. The assembly including the measuring wheel 42 can be raised as shown in former U.S. Pat. No. 2,757,730. The pressure plate 44 is lifted out, and the tape is drawn along the channel 39, over the feed wheel 41, at least to the shearing section and preferably is threaded through that section and into the space between the plates 82 and 83, over the feeler 76. When the tape is in proper alignment, the weighing plate.44 is returned to its position above the tape and the measuring wheel 42 lowered down to hold the tape between itself and the feed wheel 41. In this situation, the weighing plate presses the tape upstream of the feed wheel, but merely confines it for free movement downstream of the wheel, where the tape is being pushed by the feed wheel. Where the tape is extremely flexible, its passage downstream must not be restrained. It is for this reason that the plate 44 is higher above the channel at the forward end, and all of these parts over which the tape slides are made highly smooth as by Teflon surfacing.

Where the tape leaves the cutting section 23, it enters a somewhat widened tapering mouth area between the plates 82 and 83, so that its introduction into the passage therebetween will not be interfered with. Where the tape passes over the feeler 76 it can depress the feeler which is urged upwardly by only the light spring in the form of the spring blade 103 acting upon the crook 78 of the shaft 77 (FIG. 2). The feeler urges the tape upwardly within the slot 104 with enough friction to hold a severed piece of tape at that end, as will apear. p The repeat mode of operation will now be described. To effect it, the main switch 112 is closed which immediately illuminates the pilot light 119 to show that the machine is energized. This action also directly connects the wires 120 and 121 with the power line 1 10, so that either wire 120 or 121 may be assumed to be functionally identical to the power line 110. Clos- 8 ing the switch 112 in like manner makes the wires 131, 133, 134, 136, 140, 160, 162 and 166 functionally identical to the power line 111. The button-repeat selector switch 180 is closed (FIG. 9) which is to the repeat side shown in FIG. 1. It is assumed that at the start, the tape is in the machine, a length thereof having been severed by the blade 60 but being held in the machine by the friction caused by the upward force of the feeler 76 that holds it against the edges of the slot 104.

When that piece of tape is grasped at the front of the machine and pulled out, the feeler 76 immediately rises under the influence of the spring 103 that twists the end 78 of the shaft 77 in FIG. 2, and causes the microswitch 101 to move from its open position to its normally closed position. This establishes a circuit from the wire (on power line 110), the now closed switch 101, the wire 185, and noting that the two switches 181 and 182 are open, by the closed switch 180 and the wire 186 to the junction 187. The switch 165 being open at this time, the line 188 does not function. However, the circuit continues through the line 193 to the junction 194 from which three functional circuits emanate: a motor circuit, a measuring wheel clutch circuit, and a circuit to the solenoid 137 that controls the switch 122 and the motor clutch 138.

The motor circuit from junction 194 is as follows: the line 195 connecting to the switch arm 155 and on to the motor 141, thence to the wire (on power line 111). This circuit starts the motor 141 in operation.

The clutch 168 is energized from the junction 194 at the same time the motor circuit is closed, as follows: by the wire 198, through the junction 199 through the rectifier 167 to the magnetic clutch 168 and thence by the wire 166 to the wire 160 (on power line 111). This clutches the cam 170 to the measuring wheel 42 to rotate therewith. As previously noted, when the motor 141 starts rotating the wheel 41 and driving the tape, the friction through the tape causes the measuring wheel 42 to be rotated at the same time and the closing of the clutch 168 causes the measuring wheel to turn the shaft 169 and the cam 170.

Also from the junction 194 a circuit to the solenoid coil 137 is simultaneously established as follows: from the junction 194 to the junction 199, thence by the wire 200 to the now-closed switch 171, and from it by the wire 201, the junction 202, the wire 205, the switch 172 and the wire 206 to the coil 137, thence by the wire 136 and the junction 135 to the wire 134 (on the power line 111).

When the coil 137 is energized, the solenoid core 149 is lifted (as it appears in FIG. 9), shifting the clutch driving member to clutch the driven member 152, causing the feed wheel to be rotated by the motor 141, feeding tape between the wheels 41 and 42, and thus driving the measuring wheel 42, now clutched at 168 by the shaft 169 and producing rotation of the cam 170. As explained in US. Pat. No. 2,757,730, as the clutch driving member moves away from the neutral position, it moves out from engagement with the face cam 154. The spring 153 can then complete the return movement of the arm 65 on the eccentric 150,-which displaces the face cam 154 from under the shifter 146, so that the shifter is not barred from moving back to engage the driven member at a later stage of the operation.

At the same time the solenoid moves the clutch driving member 145, the arm on the core moves the switch 156 to close with the contact 123, and then to 9 close contact 123 with the contact 158. Closing contacts 156 and 123 holds the three circuits from the junction 194 even when the starting circuit through the switch 101 reopens. The power line 110 connects by the wire 121, the contacts 123, 156, and the wire 195 to the junction 194.

Closing the contacts 123, 158 of the switch 122 at this time energizes the coil 72, that causes the feeler 76 to be pulled down out of the way of a new strip of tape, and also reopens the switch 101. This last circuit connects from the wire 121, contact 123, contact 158, wire 159, solenoid 72, wire 133 and wire 134, to the other power line. This circuitry is now dependent on the cam switches 171, 172. This circuit will hold the switch 101 open until the contacts 123, 158 separate.

The foregoing operating circuitry requires only momentary closing of the switch 101, and is normally held closed until the cam 170 is moved enough by the measuring wheel 42 to open the switch 171. This occurs when a predetermined length of tape has been delivered to the cutting blade area, as fixed by the pre-set position of the switch 171 around the axisof the cam. The length is increased by displacing the arm 173 clockwise further around from a zero position. Opening the switch 171 modifies the circuitry from the junction 194 (or power line 110) in predetermined sequence that is set by the operation of the solenoid coil 137. The circuit to that coil 137 is dependent upon the switch 171, so that when the switch 171 opens, the coil 137 is de-energized. This causes the clutch shifter arm 146 to be shifted by the spring 148, moving the clutch driving element 145 away from the driven element 152 and into engagement with the driven element 150 (the face cam then being out of the way as noted above). This means that the feed wheel 41 stops and no more tape is fed. The magnetic clutch 168 remains energized, holding the shaft 169 fixed. The now-driven element 150 can start a cycle of the cutter blade operating arm 65.

De-energization of the coil 137 also causes the switch arm 155 to move. It first opens the contacts 123 and 158. This de-energizes the coil 72 and would permit the switch 101 to close except that the feeler 76 is then depressed by the strip of tape being dispensed. Continued operation depends upon having the switch 122 continue to connect the power line 110 to the contact 156.

Next the returning switch 122 separates the contacts 123 and 156. Opening of the contact 123 at this point is followed instantly by closing of the contacts 156, 124 to reestablish power from the power line 110 to the junction 194, the motor 141 and the DC. clutch 168. The action is fast, so that magnetic lag in the DC. clutch 168 prevents it from releasing the cam during the movement of the contact 156 between the contacts 123 and 124. The magnetic clutch will thus hold the shaft 169 with the cam 17 in its switch-opening position, although no additional tape is being fed. Closing the contacts 156, 124 reestablishes connection to the junction 194. The motor 141 is again energized, although the feed wheel 41 is not being driven and the cam 170 is at rest with the switch 171 open.

With the motor energized thus and the clutch 138 now closed against the driven member 150, the motor 141 causes a single rotation of the driven member 150 and actuation of the cutoff mechanism to sever the strip of tape that has been disposed at the front of the machine ready to be picked up. However, this piece of tape is still over the sensor 76 holding it depressed.

As explained in U.S. Pat. No. 2,757,730, the single rotation of the driven element 150 first completes a cutting cycle of the blade 60, then continues almost to starting position, bringing the sloping part of the face cam 154 against the clutch shifter 146, displacing that arm, and hanging up against it. This displaces the clutch to a neutral position between the two driven members and 152, and opens the contact 156 from the contact 124 into a neutral or completely open position.

With the switch 122 now completely open and the switch 101 opened by the action of the piece of the tape on the feeler 76, power from the line 110 cannot get into the operating circuits. This also means that the magnetic clutch 168 is de-energized, whereupon the spring S explained in US. Pat. Nos. 2,757,730 and 3,491,449, returns the cam 170 to its starting position. The piece of tape that has been severed remains in the machine hanging forwardly where it can be grasped by the operator. It is held by the friction caused by the feelers pushing it partially into the slot 104.

As soon as the operator lifts that severed strip of tape from the machine, the feeler or sensor 76 swings upw'ardly through slot 104 permitting the switch 101 to reclose and starting another dispensing cycle.

Thus, when the machine is turned on and the switch is closed into the repeat cycle position, the user merely has to pick a piece of tape off the machine, whereupon the new piece of the same length is dispensed, and held in accessible position for the next requirement, without any further action on the part of the user.

As noted, the release of the solenoid 137 first opens contact 123 from contact 158, deenergizing the solenoid 72 before the tape is cut. The reason for making this break before the cutoff operation is completed is to insure that the feeler 76 can swing upwardly under the influence of the spring 103 and hold the tape frictionally in the slot 85 at least as soon as the tape strip is severed from the supply. Especially where there are long strips of tape depending from the front of the machine, it is necessary to provide some means to hold the upper end to keep the cutoff strip from falling to the floor.

The manual operation of the control mechanism incorporates the two buttons 181 and 182. The button 181 is the short length button and when it is closed momentarily, it acts in a manner similarly to the momentary closure of the switch 101 when the switch 180 is in its closed position. The switch 181 merely establishes the starting circuit which thereafter is dependent upon the holding circuit controlled by the solenoid 137 and the sensing element microswitch 101. In both of these button operations the switch 101 must be closed to enable the machine to start. A piece of tape already cut ofi but being held by the feeler or sensor 76 must be removed from the machine before another piece can be dispensed, since the feeler 76 when held down by that piece of tape, holds the switch 101 open which breaks connection from the switches 181 and 182 and the power line 110.

If a longer length is to be dispensed, of a length set by the knob 174, to a higher graduation on the dial, the long length button 182 is operated.

Closing the switch 182 then introduces power from the line 1 10 through the switch 112, to the now-closed switch 101, the wire 185, the switch 182, the wire 210, the junction 211, the wire 213, solenoid coil 163 and the wire 162 to the power line 111. This energizes the coil 163 of the switch 165, closing together the contacts 189 and 212, and the contacts 190 and 204. When this is done, the circuit is completed from the contacts 212, 189, the wire 188, the junction 187 to the junction 194, which as already noted, is a junction from which the motor 141, the DC. clutch 168, and the coil 137 are energized, and the operation can be as explained for the short length switch. This also establishes a holding circuit for the coil 163, from the junction 194 by wire 193, junction 187, wire 188, switch 189, 212, junction 211, wire 213, coil 163, wire 162, junction 161, wire 160 and junction 128 to power line 111.

The foregoing circuit to the junction 194 would be opened by opening of the switch 171 by the cam 170 first as before, were it not for a by-pass circuit. To keep the circuit to the junction 194 from being opened by the cam 170 acting to open the switch 171, a circuit around the switch 171 goes from the junction 194, the wire 193, the junction 187, the wire 188, switch 190, 204, and the wire 203 to the junction 202, thus shunting the switch 171. The circuit continues by wire 205, the long-length switch 172, wire 206, coil 137, and wires 136, 134, 131, 114 to the power line 111. It will remain energized until the long-length switch 172 is opened by the cam 170.

As explained, during the closing of the holding circuit through the switch 122, the contact 156 first closes with the contact 123, establishing the holding circuit to the junction 194, and thereafter closes with the contact 158, establishing the circuit to the coil 72 that pulls the feeler 76 down, opening the switch 101. The sequence assures that the holding circuit will be closed before the switch 101 opens. Otherwise the coil 72 might be energized to hold the starting circuit open before the holding circuit can be closed.

The sensor 76 is held down until the contacts 123 and 158 part. This last occurs before the contacts 156 and 124 closed, and hence before a cutting action can be performed, but causes the sensor to be held out of the way during delivery of the tape. The sensor thus comes up to hold a strip of tape at the end of a feeding cycle, (the contact 158 being opened substantially simultaneously with shifting of the clutch member 145 away from the clutch member 152), but before a new cutting action can occur so that when the cutting action occurs, the tape is held in the machine until needed and lifted out.

If power fails during a feeding cycle, the clutch coil 137 is deenergized, causing the clutch to be forced by the spring into engagement with the driven element 150. Inertia causes completion of a cutting cycle, and return of the machine to a starting position.

As the machine is started with the end of the new strip of tape at the cutting blade, and the sensor or feeler 76 up, the starting circuit will be closed, to start the motor 141, but the actual feeding of the tape does not begin until the coil 137 shifts the clutch to drive the wheels 41 and 42. Simultaneously, with this, the coil 72 is energized, pulling the sensor 76 out of the way of the new strip being fed.

The action of the sensor 76 in holding the end of a severed strip of tape in the machine acts also where the manual starting is used. Also a new feeding of tape by the manual start cannot begin until the other strip is removed to close the switch 101, as the starting circuits all require this switch to be closed. And all of the starting circuits are held open during energization of the 12 coil 72. This prevents a continued running of the motor 141 by holding a button switch 181 or 182 closed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tape dispensing machine: power-operated means to deliver a strip of tape from a supply to a delivery point; and control means operated by withdrawal of the tape from the delivery point to start the poweroperated means to initiate delivery of a subsequent strip of tape from the supply to the delivery point, the power-operated means being electrically operated; circuit means to control energization of the poweroperated means including-a starting circuit and a running circuit, the means operated by the withdrawal of tape including a first switch in the starting circuit, and a tape-actuated device that opens that switch in response to the presence of tape at the delivery point; the said switch having means to close it when the device responds to the absence of tape at the delivery point; and means operated by energization of the starting circuit to close the running circuit; with means operated by the power operated means to sever the delivered strip of tape; the tape-actuated device having associated therewith feeler means engageable with the tape when tape is present thereat, the feeler means being held by the tape in position to open the switch, electricallyoperated means to hold the feeler means out of tapeengaging position when the means to deliver tape is delivering it; means operated upon delivery of the strip of tape and before severance of the tape to cause the electrically operated means to release the feeler means to engage the tape, whereby the feeler doesnot obstruct delivery of tape but is available to hold the tape strip upon severance.

2. In the machine of claim 1: means to deenergize the running circuit after delivery of a predetermined strip of tape, the said means including a circuit with a solenoid coil, that can cause opening of the first switch upon closure of the running circuit and reclosing of the first switch when the running circuit is open.

3. In the machine of claim 1: a multiple switch means and an actuator to operate the multiple switch means in a sequence, the multiple switch means including a first switch in the running circuit.

4. In a strip dispensing machine: a support to receive a strip of material; feed means to feed the strip from the machine along a path; a feeler movably mounted on the support and removably extending into the path, to be displaced by the presence of the strip thereat, the feeler when in the path being adapted to engage the tape and hold it against falling from the machine; means operated by the feeler when it is released by removal of the strip to institute operation of the feed means; electrically controlled means energized coordinately with operation of the feed means to displace the feeler from the path and retain it out of the path during operation of the feeding means to feed the strip; means to change the operation of the electrically operated means to enable the feeler to return to the position in the path; separately identifiable means operated thereafter to cut the strip behind the feeler, whereby upon severance of the tape it is held by the feeler.

5. In the machine of claim 4: the means operated with the feeding means to cause the feeler to return including mechanism operated after the predetermined length of strip has been fed, so that the feeler does not retard feeding of the strip.

6. In the machine of claim 4: the means operated with the feeding means including a switch to control the 13 electrical means to withdraw the feeler; the switch being actuated by the feeding means to release the feeler after the predetermined amount of strip has been fed.

7. In the machine of claim 4: the feeler including an element movable to urge the tape against parts of the support, so as to hold the end of the tape on the machine after severance.

8. In the machine of claim 4: the electrical means to withdraw the feeler including a solenoid for moving the feeler in one direction, and yieldable force means for moving it in the other, the solenoid being stronger than the force means.

9. In the machine of claim 8: the force means being a spring.

10. In the machine of claim 4: including a measuring mechanism having a member moved coordinately with the feed means in proportion thereto so that its amount of movement corresponds to the amount of feed between a starting position and a terminal position of the feed means; means to adjust the distance between the starting and terminal positions to vary the amount of strip fed; the means to change operation of the electrically operated means including a switch at the terminal end of the measuring mechanism; and circuit means operated by operation of that terminal switch to cause projection of the feeler into the path.

11. In the machine of claim 10: means associated with the terminal switch of the measuring mechanism member to render the feed means inoperative and to effect operation of the cutting means.

12. In the machine of claim 4: means to cause the mechanism to return to starting condition upon failure of electric power during a feeding operation.

13. In the machine of claim 4: means operable upon failure of electric power to cause the machine to cut the strip and return to starting position with the feeler held in retracted position by the strip in the path. 

1. In a tape dispensing machine: power-operated means to deliver a strip of tape from a supply to a delivery point; and control means operated by withdrawal of the tape from the delivery point to start the power-operated means to initiate delivery of a subsequent strip of tape from the supply to the delivery point, the power-operated means being electrically operated; circuit means to control energization of the power-operated means including a starting circuit and a running circuit, the means operated by the withdrawal of tape including a first switch in the starting circuit, and a tape-actuated device that opens that switch in response to the presence of tape at the delivery point; the said switch having means to close it when the device responds to the absence of tape at the delivery point; and means operated by energization of the starting circuit to close the running circuit; with means operated by the power operated means to sever the delivered strip of tape; the tape-actuated device having associated therewith feeler means engageable with the tape when tape is present thereat, the feeler means being held by the tape in position to open the switch, electrically-operated means to hold the feeler means out of tape-engaging position when the means to deliver tape is delivering it; means operated upon delivery of the strip of tape and before severance of the tape to cause the electrically operated means to release the feeler means to engage the tape, whereby the feeler does not obstruct delivery of tape but is available to hold the tape strip upon severance.
 2. In the machine of claim 1: means to deenergize the running circuit after delivery of a predetermined strip of tape, the said means including a circuit with a solenoid coil, that can cause opening of the first switch upon closure of the running circuit and reclosing of the first switch when the running circuit is open.
 3. In the machine of claim 1: a multiple switch means and an actuator to operate the multiple switch means in a sequence, the multiple switch means including a first switch in the running circuit.
 4. In a strip dispensing machine: a support to receive a strip of material; feed means to feed the strip from the machine along a path; a feeler movably mounted on the support and removably extending into the path, to be displaced by the presence of the strip thereat, the feeler when in the path being adapted to engage the tape and hold it against falling from the machine; means operated by the feeler when it is released by removal of the strip to institute operation of the feed means; electrically controlled means energized coordinately with operation of the feed means to displace the feeler from the path and retain it out of the path during operation of the feeding means to feed the strip; means to change the operation of the electrically operated means to enable the feeler to return to the position in the path; separately identifiable means operated thereafter to cut the strip behind the feeler, whereby upon severance of the tape it is held by the feeler.
 5. In the machine of claim 4: the means operated with the feeding means to cause the feeler to return including mechanism operated after the predetermined length of strip has been fed, so that the feeler does not retard feeding of the strip.
 6. In the machine of claim 4: the means operated with the feeding means including a switch to control the electrical means to withdraw the feeler; the switch being actuated by the feeding means to release the feeler after the predetermined amount of strip has been fed.
 7. In the machine of claim 4: the feeler including an element movable to urge the tape against parts of the suppoRt, so as to hold the end of the tape on the machine after severance.
 8. In the machine of claim 4: the electrical means to withdraw the feeler including a solenoid for moving the feeler in one direction, and yieldable force means for moving it in the other, the solenoid being stronger than the force means.
 9. In the machine of claim 8: the force means being a spring.
 10. In the machine of claim 4: including a measuring mechanism having a member moved coordinately with the feed means in proportion thereto so that its amount of movement corresponds to the amount of feed between a starting position and a terminal position of the feed means; means to adjust the distance between the starting and terminal positions to vary the amount of strip fed; the means to change operation of the electrically operated means including a switch at the terminal end of the measuring mechanism; and circuit means operated by operation of that terminal switch to cause projection of the feeler into the path.
 11. In the machine of claim 10: means associated with the terminal switch of the measuring mechanism member to render the feed means inoperative and to effect operation of the cutting means.
 12. In the machine of claim 4: means to cause the mechanism to return to starting condition upon failure of electric power during a feeding operation.
 13. In the machine of claim 4: means operable upon failure of electric power to cause the machine to cut the strip and return to starting position with the feeler held in retracted position by the strip in the path. 